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our Christian religion and be reasoned down； who was not only a
very disagreeable person； but remarkably unlike life … very much
more unlike it than anything I had seen in the pantomime。 The
native independence of character this artisan was supposed to
possess； was represented by a suggestion of a dialect that I
certainly never heard in my uncommercial travels； and with a coarse
swing of voice and manner anything but agreeable to his feelings； I
should conceive； considered in the light of a portrait； and as far
away from the fact as a Chinese Tartar。 There was a model pauper
introduced in like manner； who appeared to me to be the most
intolerably arrogant pauper ever relieved； and to show himself in
absolute want and dire necessity of a course of Stone Yard。 For；
how did this pauper testify to his having received the gospel of
humility？ A gentleman met him in the workhouse； and said （which I
myself really thought good…natured of him）； 'Ah； John？ I am sorry
to see you here。 I am sorry to see you so poor。' 'Poor； sir！'
replied that man； drawing himself up； 'I am the son of a Prince！
MY father is the King of Kings。 MY father is the Lord of Lords。
MY father is the ruler of all the Princes of the Earth！' &c。 And
this was what all the preacher's fellow…sinners might come to； if
they would embrace this blessed book … which I must say it did some
violence to my own feelings of reverence； to see held out at arm's
length at frequent intervals and soundingly slapped； like a slow
lot at a sale。 Now； could I help asking myself the question；
whether the mechanic before me； who must detect the preacher as
being wrong about the visible manner of himself and the like of
himself； and about such a noisy lip…server as that pauper； might
not； most unhappily for the usefulness of the occasion； doubt that
preacher's being right about things not visible to human senses？
Again。 Is it necessary or advisable to address such an audience
continually as 'fellow…sinners'？ Is it not enough to be fellow…
creatures； born yesterday； suffering and striving to…day； dying to…
morrow？ By our common humanity； my brothers and sisters； by our
common capacities for pain and pleasure； by our common laughter and
our common tears； by our common aspiration to reach something
better than ourselves； by our common tendency to believe in
something good； and to invest whatever we love or whatever we lose
with some qualities that are superior to our own failings and
weaknesses as we know them in our own poor hearts … by these； Hear
me！ … Surely； it is enough to be fellow…creatures。 Surely； it
includes the other designation； and some touching meanings over and
above。
Again。 There was a personage introduced into the discourse （not an
absolute novelty； to the best of my remembrance of my reading）； who
had been personally known to the preacher； and had been quite a
Crichton in all the ways of philosophy； but had been an infidel。
Many a time had the preacher talked with him on that subject； and
many a time had he failed to convince that intelligent man。 But he
fell ill； and died； and before he died he recorded his conversion …
in words which the preacher had taken down； my fellow…sinners； and
would read to you from this piece of paper。 I must confess that to
me； as one of an uninstructed audience； they did not appear
particularly edifying。 I thought their tone extremely selfish； and
I thought they had a spiritual vanity in them which was of the
before…mentioned refractory pauper's family。
All slangs and twangs are objectionable everywhere； but the slang
and twang of the conventicle … as bad in its way as that of the
House of Commons； and nothing worse can be said of it … should be
studiously avoided under such circumstances as I describe。 The
avoidance was not complete on this occasion。 Nor was it quite
agreeable to see the preacher addressing his pet 'points' to his
backers on the stage； as if appealing to those disciples to show
him up； and testify to the multitude that each of those points was
a clincher。
But； in respect of the large Christianity of his general tone； of
his renunciation of all priestly authority； of his earnest and
reiterated assurance to the people that the commonest among them
could work out their own salvation if they would； by simply；
lovingly； and dutifully following Our Saviour； and that they needed
the mediation of no erring man； in these particulars； this
gentleman deserved all praise。 Nothing could be better than the
spirit； or the plain emphatic words of his discourse in these
respects。 And it was a most significant and encouraging
circumstance that whenever he struck that chord； or whenever he
described anything which Christ himself had done； the array of
faces before him was very much more earnest； and very much more
expressive of emotion； than at any other time。
And now； I am brought to the fact； that the lowest part of the
audience of the previous night； WAS NOT THERE。 There is no doubt
about it。 There was no such thing in that building； that Sunday
evening。 I have been told since； that the lowest part of the
audience of the Victoria Theatre has been attracted to its Sunday
services。 I have been very glad to hear it； but on this occasion
of which I write； the lowest part of the usual audience of the
Britannia Theatre； decidedly and unquestionably stayed away。 When
I first took my seat and looked at the house； my surprise at the
change in its occupants was as great as my disappointment。 To the
most respectable class of the previous evening； was added a great
number of respectable strangers attracted by curiosity； and drafts
from the regular congregations of various chapels。 It was
impossible to fail in identifying the character of these last； and
they were very numerous。 I came out in a strong； slow tide of them
setting from the boxes。 Indeed； while the discourse was in
progress； the respectable character of the auditory was so manifest
in their appearance； that when the minister addressed a
supposititious 'outcast；' one really felt a little impatient of it；
as a figure of speech not justified by anything the eye could
discover。
The time appointed for the conclusion of the proceedings was eight
o'clock。 The address having lasted until full that time； and it
being the custom to conclude with a hymn； the preacher intimated in
a few sensible words that the clock had struck the hour； and that
those who desired to go before the hymn was sung； could go now；
without giving offence。 No one stirred。 The hymn was then sung；
in good time and tune and unison； and its effect was very striking。
A comprehensive benevolent prayer dismissed the throng； and in
seven or eight minutes there was nothing left in the Theatre but a
light cloud of dust。
That these Sunday meetings in Theatres are good things； I do not
doubt。 Nor do I doubt that they will work lower and lower down in
the social